Level 1

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is time machine restore better than Mac to Mac migration?

Which is better when moving from an older iMac (High Sierra) to a new iMac (Big Sur) -- restore from Time Machine backup OR Mac to Mac migration? I would like to know if one method is faster and will the Time Machine restore work going from HS to BigSur?

New iMac arriving on 2/4/21

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Feb 3, 2021 7:29 AM

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3 replies

Level 10

91,774 points

Feb 3, 2021 8:33 AM in response to drband

Yes that is the best way to move your user data over into the new Mac.

Keep in mind, that older 32 bit App's will no longer work on a new Mac running Catalina or Big Sur.

see > https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

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Level 10

91,774 points

Feb 3, 2021 7:53 AM in response to drband

Migrating from your Time Machine backup is the fastest and most reliable.

A direct Ethernet to Ethernet connection is second best, but it is slow and more prone to fail than Time Machine.

Using your local network is the slowest and will almost always fail, forcing you to wipe the new Mac and start over.

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Level 1

4 points

Feb 3, 2021 8:15 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks... so it will work going from an old iMac withHigh Sierra to a brand new iMac with Big Sur? I do have current TM backups on an external drive.

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is time machine restore better than Mac to Mac migration?

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